Jul-Aug-Sept Review

My 2010 Quilt Challenge is still on track... and here comes the third instalment. It has been enjoyable and when I seem to tire of it, I receive such wonderful responses, that it surely bounces me back into gear to continue the journey.

Take another look at the projects that I’ve blogged about over these last three months:

--Quilting Books on Review--

Several main goals still being maintained for this challenge are...
· EXPLORING the books in my own library with the Fuse-and-Tell book recently added to my collection.
· USING fabrics I already own, with only a few exceptions, as I bought some new fabrics at a yard sale.
· CREATING small projects to test out these new techniques is still my favorite way to test out new ways.

JULY 2010

Quilting for the first time
Donna Kooler

Redwork – Project 4

Book Project (on left)  /  My Quilt (on right)

My eleventh project allowed me to try Redwork embroidery. I had considered it before, but had not yet achieved that goal.  I do enjoy embroidery and while this project was fun; I really do like working with lots of colours, not just one.

The question on project 4 was “How do I frame needlework with a lattice-strip border?” This I almost got right, but did make one mistake on the bottom strip. Oh, well, it looks okay.

This project is: 8 3/4" x 10 1/4" including the hanging tabs. Mine was very close at: 9 1/4" x 9 1/4" not including the tabs.

Advancing On II – with the Square-In-A-Square technique
Jodi Barrows

In The Garden with Tumbling Blocks

 

Book Project (on left)   /  My Quilt (on right)

My twelfth project was definitely fun to make and this was a good start in seeing how much fun the Square-In-A-Square ruler was to use. So, I’d love to come back and try out more of the options. And, her website has even more options available then are in this book.

This project is: 48" x 55" and rated as an intermediate level. Mine was very small as I only tried out a small sample and is: 33" x 18". I followed the block chart diagram and then modified the size with the additional fancy strips on the sides.

AUGUST 2010

Nature’s Elegance
Jan Kornfeind

Butterfly Fancy Wall Hanging

Book Project (on left)   /  My Quilt (on right)

My thirteenth project was perfect for using those colourful scrap fabrics and an opportunity to dig into my button jar. Sewing on those 70 buttons did take some time, but if you love buttons it is a great way to use them. The book has some great options for using the butterfly blocks. And, one day I hope to revisit this book and try a project with birds.

This project is: 33 1/2" x 33 1/2". Mine was almost the same size, but I chose to add narrower borders at: 25 1/4" x 25 1/4".

SEPTEMBER 2010

Beautiful Borders Backings & Bindings
Jill Reber and Margaret Sindelar

Orange Blossom Table Runner

Book Project (on left)   /  My Quilt (on right)

My fourteenth project was a change from the typical square shaped quilts. Even though I’ve used a mock piping on several projects, it was time to try a real piping technique. I did have trouble with the piping not knowing which machine foot would allow me to get close enough during the construction and when stitching it in place. I know I’ll have more success next time, when I use a much narrower cord.

I also didn’t really have the best greens to choose from to match up the project’s requirements, but did have experience with bias binding and attaching piping to a project. This project is: 18" x 34". Mine was very close at: 15 1/2" x 31". It ended up a bit smaller because I preferred to have the border narrower with the colour I chose.

Fuse-and-Tell Journal Quilts
Laura Wasilowski

Peaceful Landscape: A Deceptively Calm Day

Book Project (on left)   /  My Quilt (on right)

My fifteenth project was definitely fun to make after I sorted out how I’d arrange my fused pieces. It seemed better when I changed the story of the quilt to something I liked. I stitched clouds in the sky and added a tree. It may even be an orange tree, now that I think about it. I like eating oranges. I really enjoyed the variety of embroidery stitches and colours used. It was also fun to embellish with rick rack and buttons. Hand stitching is not really so terrible as I’ve thought, mostly because there is no hemming involved in quilting.

I think I’ll still add a hanging sleeve sometime, as I didn’t feel the small hanging rings were enough for the weight of my quilt with the extra layers. This project is: 16" x 16". Mine was close at: 18 1/2" x 15 1/2".

What techniques do you wish to try or already are your favourites? If you have enjoyed this review, why not leave a comment below?

See what’s coming up… check out my website for more quilting techniques and inspiring books.

Enjoy your week…

Redwork Stitchery

Book:

QUILTING for the first time/ by Donna Kooler

Time to reveal my next project... I choose: Project 4 in the Beyond the Basics section of the book, "How do I frame needlework with a lattice-strip border?". 

For any new quilters, this book is a great place to start!

All of the projects are small and need very little time to complete. Here you can find simple projects that will be a great beginning to discover if quilting is what you wish to pursue, under three sections: Quilting Basics, Basic Techniques, Beyond the Basics.

Book, Fabrics

I decided to try the redwork stitchery to see how I liked it. As, is usually the case, one doesn’t wish to spend much time, money, or resources to see if a new technique will work for us.

Embroidery was the first technique I learned when I was a young person. I really enjoyed it and liked sewing with lots of different colors. So, I thought this project would be a good choice for trying out if I liked stitching with only one color.

Also, this project was done about the time we learned that we’d be moving, so a small project definitely helped me stay focused and get it completed quickly.

 Penciled design on fabric, red embroidery thread

Stitchery completed

What I discovered was that I still love color, so found it not as exciting as if I had used more colors. However, it was quick to stitch the small design and put it together. I also found doing the embroidery stitches easy and fun. I would however, use a different hoop and perfer working on a larger design!

Once the lattice-strips are sewn together and then added to each side, the tabs are attached. Then the layers are assembled and stitched, leaving a small opening. It is turned with right sides out and the opening is stitched closed.

Adding the tabs to the top

Layering the top, batting and backing

The following photos show the finished results. If it had been a school project, I would have lost marks as one of the borders was cut incorrectly. However, my results were to see how I liked redwork stitchery and that was accomplished.

Corner

Tab

My Finished Quilt

Approx. Size: 9” X 10” (doesn't include the tabs)

More...
If you wish to see what books are being featured this summer, you can also check out my website for more details. Next project (July 25) will involve using selvages... using the Square In A Square technique.


Enjoy your quilting journey in 2010!

My Button Reveal

What is it about buttons? Are they just practical, decorative, beautiful, colorful or all of these? Or does this photo explain it all?

If so many of us love to collect them, why are they stashed in simple boxes or bags to not be seen, until needed for a project? Hopefully, we aren't embarrassed that we have so many, or else... perhaps it's time to have a button party and share them with others!

I recently blogged about the book, “Turning Twenty... Again” and was honoured to receive such a wonderful email from the author. And when I checked out her weblog, I found she displays her button collection in such beautiful containers, I thought I'd include the link to that particular posting. So, if you wish, go take a look and see if they inspire you to do the same with your buttons!!

Yes, it definitely takes a lot of buttons to fill all those fancy containers….

This inspired me to get my buttons out of their various sizes of ziploc bags and out of that worn old brown box they were stored in and out to where I could enjoy them. I found out that I don't have near as many, but why not display them, anyway!

Two Simple Jars

Buttons On High

I do realize that it will be much harder to get to those on the bottom, but for now they are available to view. And it will be delightful to pour them out into a tray or baking dish when I wish to make selections for that next great project.

Seems to me… that running my fingers through an assortment of buttons is as delightful as playing in the dirt when doing a gardening project. So, there you go…

Enjoy your buttons and all those cool items that make creating so much fun!!

ELEVENTH PROJECT - JULY 2010:

My eleventh project will be shared next week...
Quilting For the First Time/ Donna Kooler



More Books...

If you wish to see what books are being featured you can also check out my website for more details.

Enjoy your quilting adventure for... 2010!!